Stories from the field

The website of a foreign-owned diamond mining company in Sierra Leone states, "Our Diamonds Doing Good: Follow our progress as we demonstrate that responsible and sustainable diamond mining can - and will - elevate and empower the people, the economy, and the country of Sierra Leone."

During my second week in Sierra Leone as a Kiva Fellow, I visited Kono district where this company - among others - bases its operations, and if this trip has taught me anything, it is that there is little evidence that diamond mining has brought any positive changes to the local community, or even has the best intentions of doing so in the future.

[…] the whole country envied the Kono people as some thought the land will be paved with blessings from the diamonds rather it developed into a curse.

Kono (also refered to as Koidu) is located in the eastern part of Sierra Leone, and it is the diamond center of the country. A person might assume that such an area may be more developed than other towns, but reality is an ironic opposite of that…. starting with the 4 hour drive to get to Kono. Have the multinational companies invested in basic infrastructure such as paved roads? The answer is no. Our 4x4 jeep lost a portion of its exhaust pipe and the front bottom engine cover on the drive there. Come rainy season, this road turns muddy which cuts off its community from supplies. There is no alternate better route.

A street in Koidu in Kono district

Much of Kono's infrastructure is underdeveloped, more so than other parts of the country. The town lacks an electricity grid, with everything running on individual generators. Because of its location and the difficulty in getting there, it is quite normal for Kono to have fuelshortages. Even SMT (one of Kiva's partners in Sierra Leone) has to strategically use its available fuel at the Koidu branch to turn the power on to update its database, and then turn it back off.

One of many diamond offices littering the streets of Koidu

While sanitation and garbage disposal infrastructure is also in dire need of investment in most of the country, Kono has the additional disadvantage of compounding that with environmental damage from mining. At the SMT office, it is quite common for the building to shake once a diamond blast goes off. Entire communities are being resettled into different areas so the land where their houses once stood are blown up for diamonds. One look at Kono will remind you of a stereotypical deserted gold rush city.

What will be left of this town once the diamonds run out?

While companies are required to file environmental assessment reports, there is no solid vision of how this land will be rehabilitated once its been all torn up and the companies move their operations elsewhere.

Koidu's main street. Diamond mining has brought very little infrastructure development to this grim town

An article in the Economist adds, a troubling aspect is that "[…] it is not clear that the government is enforcing a part of the mining law that says all extractors must set up an independent fund in order to rehabilitate the environment." Additionally, the country is struggling between protecting natural wildlife reserves and licensing the land to be mined. "The mining process will require the use of harsh chemicals like cyanide and caustic soda, some of which will be collected in an open tailings pond that will sit just next to a local village. And the mine will leave a huge scar on the land."

Some may argue that diamond companies are bringing jobs to the local community. It is true that there is an influx of workers to Kono in search for jobs, but again reality is quite different. As one article points out: Diamond mining is causing youth to drop out of school in hopes of "striking it big" and becoming rich. This is a critical issue since an entire generation of Sierra Leoneans are behind on their education because of the civil conflict between 1991-2002.

The same articles states that in Koidu " [...] around 3,000 children are estimated to be working in the mines, but there are no official figures and the number might be much higher" and "Children are paid 10,000-20,000 leones (US$3-6) a day and 40,000 leones [less than $10] if they find diamonds." This same diamond will sell for more than 1000 times that value in your local diamond store in the developed world.

The Economist also quotes two mining companies as saying, "Sierra Leone is getting a good deal and that without special treatment they might not have invested in the country." A good deal? Special Treatment? These are synonymous to tax evasion, illegal exporting, poor wages, and unacceptable working conditions.

Even the government is not seeing the revenue it should be from these companies in order to invest in the much needed development in Kono and the rest of the country. The Sierra Leone Telegraph summarizes the issues:

"Poor governance, corruption and the lack of human capacity to monitor and evaluate the operations and performance of foreign companies operating in the country, are making it easier for companies to succeed in avoiding or evading their obligations to the people of Sierra Leone."

According to the DanWatch Report Not Sharing the Loot, "Government revenue from mining accounted for only 1.1% of GDP [for 2010]" and “Government revenue from the mining industry in Sierra Leone is limited, compared to the importance of the industry to the country.”

The report makes the following recommendation:

"The government of Sierra Leone and the mining companies should take action to uncover and unleash the lost potential for development from the mining sector. But also international regulation is needed to strengthen transparency into the corporate structure and accounts of multinational mining companies."

Another diamond office, appropriately titled "Shark"

With more diamond, iron ore, gold, magnetite, bauxite, and rutile mining expected to start soon, it is imperative for a nation that ranks 180 out of 187 on the human development index not to have its land pillaged for riches. While a new government agency has been set-up to review the existing mining contracts and recommend changes, locals have little faith in this entity so far.

From my three weeks here, it is quite obvious that Sierra Leone does not lack hardworking people or natural resources.With aid money beginning to decrease as Sierra Leone's politics stabilizes further, it imperative to ensure this country's future through developing industries that protect the land, create sustainable industries, respect the peoples' culture and history, and invest in the youth.

The Kimberley Certification of a diamond arguably guarantees that it is not a blood diamond; the certification has come under scrutiny and has prompted human rights group Global Witness to quit the process citing its failure to prevent conflict diamonds from reaching consumers. Additionally, the certification carries no significance regarding working conditions in the mines, assessment of the environmental impact, improvements to poverty levels, or guarantees against child labor.

While my personal choice to purchase diamonds has been permanently altered after a visit to Kono, I am not criticizing people who continue to do so. Yet, ignorance is not bliss, and insight into the realities of the mining industry is needed for local agencies and multinational corporations to be held liable by their own citizens and citizens worldwide.

Koidu's main market. Mining companies do not contribute much of their spending to the local market and local businesses.

It is important to note, however, that my time in Sierra Leone has not been as grim as this blogpost may suggest. There is much beauty to this country and its very hospitable people. I hope to share those experiences in upcoming posts. In the meantime, I urge you to support a Kiva borrower in Sierra Leone and allow them to maintain their livelihoods independent of the mining industry.

The information that you have provided to the readers is 100% on point. I have made several trips to Sierra Leone visiting the diamond mining areas in the eastern region such as Bo and Kano. The government and citizens of this country have not benefitted economically or socially at all from the 100s of millions of dollars in diamonds extracted from these areas by the multi-national companies. They do little to no investment in this country and take all their profits back to their respective countries. The multi-nationals do not abide by any laws and regulations set up by this government and they do little in dealing with their corporate and social responsibilities. Because the country is poor and lack the necessary funding to enforce laws. Major changes regarding royalties and taxes on minerals should be updated and rates should be increased.

Its a tragedy of a country. Who is to blame? Obviously the government!! Why so greedy? Why sell your own blood to the white people for money? Why cant the government steal some, yeas steal some and also force the private companies to invest some in the village. Yes, he will be removed by the English people if he does so and we cannot say that he cannot steal, reality check, but at the end of the day why cant he negotiate. If the English remain greedy, why cant he talk with other Investors, the Chinese notably for a better deal. They are the balancing power these days so turn your face towards them, yes they will steal you too, but atleast you can negotiate some percentage to remain for the locals and get robbed a smaller portion. Even better, why cant the siera leons themselves own the fields? Its not difficult to sell diamonds (Google it) and they know how to mine it. At the end of the day, why would you let the English people use you so much!! Shame on their Government!!!

this piece was well researched. Kono is a true example of a region that suffers as a result of its God given resources. Nobody seems to care about what the people of Kono feel, all they care about is their stake in the whole business. that's the game multinationals play wherever they are, satisfy stakeholders,cart away with the resources to maximize profits, and deprive the citizens.

I most confess that this piece put together is a well research one, so much dirty going on in the ming industry in mama salone. Even the international standard bearer so to put care less about what is happen with us, this multi-nationals taken away what belongs to us in kono and the country at large with the aide of our Representatives at local level and National Government, for their own personal GAINS God SAVE US.

I lived in the heart of the diamond mining zone - NDMC- in the Gaia Camp - Yengema - in a one-bedroom squatter dwelling with a relative, his wife and children while I walked to school YSS everyday. I saw with my eyes and I lived and experienced the absolute neglect, the abject and comparative poverty we were subjected to... even though NDMC was making millions of dollars perhaps billions of dollars every day and night in those days in Kono.
Yes, Siaka Stevens was no doubt a ruthless dictator, but the bulk of the lions share of the blame for the deliberate under-development of Kono District and its people lies with those very Kono politicians and those very educated and powerful Kono elites.. who by the way, were also employed by NDMC and who were also in very high top management positions at NDMC.
These were the same Kono individuals and educated elites who also sat on the NDMC boardrooms in London -directly opposite facing the White man yet - they did not have the balls to demand that NDMC provide free education to every Kono child, build and maintain Kono's infrastructures, establish fund and maintain technical training programs for Kono's youth
NDMC was a huge lost chance. None of the current mining schemes in Kono has the resources and capital that would have any significant developmental impact in Kono.
If those Kono politicians and educated elites had stood up and approached Pa Siaki with a list... and say look, Pa Siaki, we want you to demand from the NDMC Board of Directors to do this.. and that... for the Kono people, Pa Siaki would done it. And I had no doubt NDMC would have complied. But unfortunately, the Kono politicians were even more corrupt and selfish perhaps more than Siaka Stevens himself.. They were only concerned with their own immediate families and their many girl friends...
My country is a Failed state and I am truly ashamed FOR my country.

The foreign investors whether they b English Chinese french who ever r all movated by greed , the good and well being of the locals ie improving infilstructure ain't a part if their vocab and never will b

The abundance of minerals in that country,looses sight of value by the government and it's people, because they have no money"Trade value of the commodity ".If Diamonds were hard to mine in the land,then and only then,enforcement of trade policies and value of the commodity would be established, even 51/49 rule of ownership. Now mining is not a hard job to do in the land,like South Africa,farming is easy,so food security is not highly considered by the state and people.Thus result SA to be the cheapest advanced country in Africa.The situation won't change in SL,until resources are exhausted Or Government changes.

The abundance of minerals in that country,looses sight of value by the government and it's people, because they have no money"Trade value of the commodity ".If Diamonds were hard to mine in the land,then and only then,enforcement of trade policies and value of the commodity would be established, even 51/49 rule of ownership. Now mining is not a hard job to do in the land,like South Africa,farming is easy,so food security is not highly considered by the state and people.Thus result SA to be the cheapest advanced country in Africa.The situation won't change in SL,until resources are exhausted Or Government changes.

We always like to blame someone instead of taking responsibility of our own actions. If I am correct Sierra Leone has been ruled by Sierra Leonean since Independent not by the white man, and to be honest life was a million times better than now that we are ruled by our own people. Can we just be honest and admit the fact that we can not govern ourselves for the simple fact that every leader we choose thinks that the wealth of the nation belongs to him and his family and the rest of the people can go to hell and kiss the devil. This is my thought for the simplest solution to the problem our country is facing, we need to go back to colonial rule if that will make life better for our people since we can not governor ourselves this is for the whole of Africa. With all the massive wealth of Africa we are still under develop. To prove my point that we can not govern ourselves take South Africa for example now that they are ruled by their own corruption has been burn. SHAME TO ALL THE AFRICAN LEADERS that suppress their people.

I have chronicled and authored my memoir - FRIENDSHIP: A True Story of Adventure, Goodwill, and Endurance detailing my life as a 15-year old boy living (in the BLOOD DIAMOND zone in Kono District) at Gaia Camp, while selling oranges at the NDMC bungalows; Rugby Field, Western End, Holy Mountain, Leopard Hill, Signal Hill, Chingi Bungalow, Golf Club, Yengema Club, Clerks Quarters, and at the NDMC Administrative offices at Yengema, two decades before the rebel war and Hollywood movie BLOOD DIAMOND.
My book provides world readers what the Hollywood movie BLOOD DIAMOND failed to show...... Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Waterstones ( UK), and from my website: www.francismandewah.com

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Taline grew up in Beirut, Lebanon during the civil war. At an early age, she became involved with a nonprofit peace education organization called Children&#39;s International Summer Villages (CISV) which has introduced her to some of her best friends around the world. Her passion for cultures, travel, and peace promotion stemmed from those experiences, and she simultaneously became fascinated with the science behind airplanes and flight. At the age of 17, she moved to Los Angeles to study Aerospace Engineering and spent six years working in the industry. While she gained professional experience in manufacturing and engineering, she continued to follow global affairs and became active in CISV&#39;s programs again. Growing more aware of the imperative need for social impact initiatives worldwide, she decided to switch to a career that allows her to apply her skills in solving humanitarian based problems. Her first experience will take her back to the Middle East as a Kiva Fellow in Jordan where she hopes to make a tangible positive impact in the local community. She is ecstatic to continue her fellowship in Lebanon and Sierra Leone!

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